This paper reports on the findings of a qualitative research project into older people’s experiences of relinquishing or contemplating relinquishing a driver’s licence. The project ‘Being Safe, Mobile and Older’ was conducted in urban, rural and remote rural communities in South Australia. The data analysis techniques used draw on insights from post-structuralist theory. People’s responses to ceasing to drive ranged from ‘don’t care’ or relief through to despair. Not surprisingly, these responses were closely linked to the way people identified as particular types of travellers (for example public transport users, motorists), the performance of their journeys, and the meanings they attached to their journeys. Although this paper flags these broader issues of identity, performance, and meaning it focuses upon the diversity of people’s responses to relinquishing a licence. The authors believe that keeping this diversity of responses ‘out in the open’ is both affirming for older people and can assist transport policy makers and planners in developing a variety of responses to the mobility of older citizens. (Author/publisher) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E211825.
Samenvatting